Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar is a Hindu temple devoted to Chandi Devi Goddess in Haridwar Holy City in India’s Uttarakhand state. The temple is located on top of the Neel Parvat on the Sivalik Hills ‘ eastern peak, the Himalayan’s southernmost mountain chain. Chandi Devi Temple was constructed as King of Kashmir by Suchat Singh in 1929. But Chandi Devi’s primary murti at the temple is said to have been installed by Adi Shankaracharya, one of the Hindu religion’s biggest priests, in the 8th century. The Neel Parvat Teerth temple is one of the Haridwar-based Panch Tirth (Five Pilgrimages). Devotees reverence Chandi Devi Temple is a Siddh Peetha which is a place of worship where wishes are fulfilled. It is one of three Peethas in Haridwar, the other two being the Temple of Mansa Devi and the Temple of Maya Devi.
Also known as Chandika, Goddess Chandi is the temple’s leading deity. The tale of Chandika’s origin is as follows: The demon kings Shumbha and Nishumbha captured the god-kingdom of heaven–Indra long ago and threw the gods out of Swarga (heaven). Parvati took the form of Chandi, an extremely lovely lady and surprised by her beauty, after intense prayers by the gods, Shumbha wanted to marry her. On being denied, Shumbha sent Chanda and Munda, his demon chiefs, to kill her. They were murdered by Chamunda goddesses who came from the rage of Chandika. Then Shumbha and Nishumbha attempted to kill Chandika collectively but were slain by the goddess instead.
How to reach the temple
By Road
The Temple is 4 kilometers away from Har ki Pauri. To reach the temple, either pursue Chandighat’s three-kilometer trekking path and reach the sanctuary by climbing a number of steps or riding the lately introduced ropeway (cable car) service. For the advantage of the pilgrims, the rope-way service known as Chandi Devi Udankhatola was implemented and it also serves the pilgrims in the nearby shrine of Mansa Devi. The ropeway brings the pilgrims straight to the Chandi Devi Temple at an altitude of 2,900 meters from the lower station near Gauri Shankar Temple on the Nazibabad Road. The route’s complete length is about 740 meters and height is 208 meters. There is a dense forest on the other side of the hill and the ropeway offers scenic views of the Ganges River and Haridwar.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is the Haridwar Railway station at a distance of 4 km from the temple.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Pantnagar Airport at a distance of 197 km from the temple.